Was salah fard for the previous ummahs?

Was it obligatory to perform salah for the ummahs before Islam? Did they perform five times a day?

Answer:

To perform salah was fard for the previous ummahs as well; however, the times and the number of rakats were different. So, we can say that previous ummahs were enjoined to perform salah, but not five compulsory daily prayers as Muslims. It became fard for Muslims to perform five daily prayers in the Night of Miraj (Isra) that was one and a half year before Hijra.

There are many ayahs in the Holy Quran stating that salah was compulsory for the previous ummahs:

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him);

“O our Lord! Surely I have settled a part of my offspring in a valley unproductive of fruit near Thy Sacred House, our Lord! That they may keep up prayer; therefore make the hearts of some people yearn towards them and provide them with fruits; haply they may be grateful” (Surah al Ibrahim,37)

”And mention Ismail in the Book; surely he was truthful in (his) promise, and he was an apostle, a prophet. And he enjoined on his family prayer and almsgiving, and was one in whom his Lord was well pleased.” (Surah al Maryam; 54- 55)

Prophet Ishaq and Ya’qub (peace be upon them);

“And We gave him Ishaq and Yaqoub, a son's son, and We made (them) all good. And We made them Imams who guided (people) by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing of good and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of the alms, and Us (alone) did they serve.” (Surah al Anbiya; 72-73)

Prophet Loqman(peace be upon him);

“O my son! Keep up prayer and enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and bear patiently that which befalls you” (Surah al Loqmn, 17)

Prophet Shu'aib(peace be upon him);

“They said: O Shu'aib! does your prayer enjoin you that we should forsake what our fathers worshipped or that we should not do what we please with regard to our property? Forsooth you are the forbearing, the right-directing one.” (Surah al Hud, 87)

Prophet Moses(peace be upon him);

“(O Moses! ) I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed: Surely I am Allah, there is no god but I, therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance” (Surah al Taha; 13- 14)

“We inspired Moses and his brother with this Message: "Provide dwellings for your people in Egypt, make your dwellings into places of worship, and establish regular prayers: and give glad tidings to those who believe!" (Surah al Yunus; 87)

“And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah. treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).” (Surah al Baqara, 83)

“Allah did aforetime take a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we appointed twelve captains among them. And Allah said: "I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular prayers, practise regular charity, believe in my apostles, honour and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered from the path or rectitude." (Surah al Maide, 12)